“Linda was my mentor. She saw something...

“Linda was my mentor. She saw something in me that I didn’t even see,

and that gave me the confidence to stand up here today and represent

the 1,200 teachers in the Newport-Mesa district. And I’m very

thankful for that.”

-- Jim Rogers, Newport-Mesa Federation of Teachers president,

remembering Linda Mook, the former head of the teachers union. Mook

died Dec. 30, and a memorial service was held last week.

“If you want me, I definitely will be asking questions. I would

not just be rubber stamping.”

-- Sandy Genis, former Costa Mesa mayor, who the City Council

appointed to fill, for one meeting, an open seat on the Planning

Commission. Her addition will allow the commission to meet.

“People are very anxious; there are a lot of people at El Morro

Village who have no place to go.”

-- Jeanette Miller, El Morro Community Assn. president, on the

possibility that those living there will be evicted by the state.

“I see my main role in this environment as a gatekeeper. We would

kind of serve as an early warning signal to the Republicans in the

legislature that this [bill] is not something you want to vote for.”

-- Chuck DeVore, Newport-Mesa’s assemblyman, whose committee

assignments include sitting on the committee that oversees revenue

and taxation.

“I have a great concern about further burdening the residents with

these types of services. I think that predominantly these types of

services fall on the shoulders of the elderly.”

-- Katrina Foley, Costa Mesa City Councilwoman, on a proposal to

charge fees to those who use emergency services in the city. The

council delayed any action last week.